Baha' al-Din al-'Amili

Shaykh Baha' al-Din al-'Amili (27 February 1547 - 30 August 1621) known as Shaykh Baha'i or Sheikh Bahaei and also Sheikh Baha'i in Persian, was an Iranian Muslim scholar, philosopher, mathematician and astronomer.

Exact dates of birth and death

The exact dates of his birth and death are mentioned a bit differently on his grave stone and on the ceramic of the walls of the room where he is buried in.

Date of birth:

"On the ceramics of the wall": 27 February 1547

"On the grave stone": March 1546

Date of death:

"On the ceramics of the wall": 30 August 1621

"On the grave stone": August 1622

The dates on the wall contain day, month and year, while the dates on the grave stone only contain month and year. The ceramics of the wall are made in 1945. It seems that at that time a research is performed about the exact dates, and, therefore, the information about the day is added to the dates. In this case, it seems the dates on the walls are more trustable.

Biography

Shaykh Baha' al-Din (also spelled Baha'uddin) Muhammad ibn Husayn al-'Amili was born in Baalbak, Lebanon in 1532. He lived in Jabal Amelin a village called Jaba'.

Jabal Amel had always been one of the main Shiite centers of west Asia. Even today various Shiite groups live there. They have played an important role in establishing Shiism in Iran, especially from 13th century onwards. The Baha'i (Bahaei) progeny was among those well-known Shiite families.

As a child, he came to Iran with his father and completed his studies in Isfahan. Having intended to travel to Mecca in 1570, he visited many Islamic countries including Iraq, Syria and Egypt and after spending four years there, he returned to Iran.

He was a master in philosophy, logic, astronomy and mathematics. His works include 88 articles, epistles and books. He has also composed poems in Farsi. His outstanding works in the Iranian language are Jame’ Abbasi and two masnavis (rhymed couplets) by the names of "Milk and Sugar" and "Bread and Halva". His other work "Kashkool" includes stories, news, scientific topics, Persian and Arabic proverbs.

He wrote "Khulasat Al-Hisab" and "Tashrih Al-Aflak" in Arabic.

Shaykh Baha' al-Din died in 1610 in Isfahan. His body was buried in Mashhad according to his will, next to Imam Ali al-Rida's Holy Shrine.

Shaykh Baha' al-Din's fame was due to his excellent command of mathematics, architecture and geometry. He was the architect of Isfahan’s Imam Mosque and also Hessar Najaf. He also made a sun clock to the west of the Imam Mosque.There is also no doubt about his mastery of topography; The best instance of this is the directing of the water of the Zayandehroud River to different areas of Isfahan.

He designed a canal called "Zarrin Kamar" in Isfahan which is one of Iran’s greatest canals. He also determined the direction of Qiblah (prayer direction) from the Imam mosque.

He also designed and constructed a furnace for a public bathroom, which still exists in Isfahan, known as Sheikh Bahaei’s bathroom. The furnace was warmed by a single candle, which was placed in an enclosure. The candle burned for a long time, warming the bath’s water. According to his own instructions, the candle’s fire would be put out if the enclosure was ever opened. This happened during the restoration and repair of the building and no one has been able to make the system work again. He also designed the Menareh Jonban (shaking minaret), which still exists in Isfahan.

High Council of Cultural Revolution in Iran designated April 23 as the National Architect Day, marking the birth anniversary of Sheikh Bahaei.

Sheikh Bahaei was also an adept of mysticism. A poem of his is cited below:

Plead For Unison Translation: Maryam Dilmaghani

So long, in plead of unison with thee my eyelids are drowned in the deluge of tear. So long, in plead of unison with thee, Thou, the sole beloved!

The arrow of thy sorrow pierced all lovers’ heart… For how long, how long shall we be kept apart? We are countless, all occupied by thy thought Helas! thou be'est concealed of our sight. Thou, the sole beloved!

The bird found thy fine face in every turf The butterfly enlightened in core of the flame The mystic recognized thy essence In every scene and each face.

It means that one can see thee at every glance, In every instance.

It means that I am not mad that I knock every door, I knock every door.

In every sea I dive, thou be'est the sole host. In every route I walk, thy shine is the lone light, In the tavern and mosque thou be'est the only Lord, Thou be'est the only Lord.

Thou be'est the destination, thou be'est the pledge. The reason is thee when I wander drunk, The reason is thee when I meet with the monk, The reason is thee when I am praying in the mosque. They are all pleas and thou be'est the pledge. Thou be'est the sole pledge.

The reason is thee when I wander drunk, The reason is thee when I meet with the monk, The reason is thee when I am praying in the mosque. They are all pleas and thou be'est the pledge. Thou be'est the sole pledge.

Sheikhbahaee University in Isfahan was named in his honour.

References